American Grown Podcast

07/21/2025

Ep.139: Re-release, Episode 1 of the American Grown Podcast with Coach Rob Bare. (The one that started it all)
•
In this episode, I re-released episode 1 featuring Cedar Crest High School Track & Field Coach, Rob Bare. Rob is a dedicated coach, lifelong runner, and author whose story is grounded in perseverance and purpose.
Coach Bare has shaped countless young athletes—both on and off the track. He wrote a deeply personal book, Braving Your Adversity, which honors his late wife Tiff’s courageous battle with cancer.
Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or someone navigating life’s challenges, Rob’s insight will leave you inspired to lace up and keep moving forward—no matter the terrain.
•
Listen to the full episode, search: American Grown Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music & Pandora for FREE. 📲🎧

07/13/2025

Ep.138: David Millar - Med Student & Ultra Endurance Athlete/One Step at a Time: Running for Recovery.
•
In this episode, I welcome back to the studio David Millar, a medical student at Penn State Hershey who’s preparing to run the Ironstone 100K Ultra—a brutal 62-mile mountain race across Pennsylvania.
But David isn’t just running for the challenge. He’s dedicating every mile to those affected by addiction and alcoholism, raising awareness for the lives we’ve lost and those still silently suffering.
He opens up about the personal stories that fuel his advocacy, the symbolic power of ultra running, and how his journey as a future physician is rooted in empathy and service.
•
Listen to the full episode, search: American Grown Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music & Pandora for FREE. 📲🎧

07/07/2025

Ep.137: Justin Tice - Smiling At You/ Smiling Through the Struggle: From 436lbs to Life Coach.
•
In this episode, I sit down with Justin Tice, a Certified Personal Trainer and Motivational Life Coach based in Lebanon, PA.
Justin’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. After the loss of his father, a serious heart diagnosis at age 12, and a major turning point in 2016 when he weighed 436 pounds, Justin made the courageous decision to take back his life. Over the next three years, he lost 150 pounds—and in 2023, underwent open heart surgery that fueled his mission even further.
Now the founder of Smiling at You LLC, Justin is using his story to help bring hope, healing, and heart back into the fitness space.
•
Listen to the full episode, search: American Grown Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music & Pandora for FREE. 📲🎧

06/29/2025

Ep.136: Vandon Tricamo - Founder of Moon Dragon Fitness/The Discipline of Change: Martial Arts, Strength & Purpose.
•
In this episode, I sit down with Vandon Tricamo, founder of Moon Dragon Fitness. With over 30 years of experience in martial arts and strength training, Vandon blends traditional disciplines like Kung Fu, Qigong, and Drunken Boxing with modern fitness science to help people achieve lasting, positive change. He shares how his journey led to building a one-of-a-kind gym rooted in growth, discipline, and resilience.
If you’re ready to rethink what fitness can mean—mentally and physically—this one’s for you.
•
Listen to the full episode, search: American Grown Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music & Pandora for FREE. 📲🎧

06/23/2025

Ep.135: Luke Hains - Spine Specialist & Advocate for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
•
In this episode, I sit down with my cousin Luke Hains, a spine specialist for VB Spine. Luke opens up about growing up in Lebanon, PA, and how his younger brother’s battle with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy shaped his purpose. From working in medical tech to running marathons and raising awareness, Luke’s story is driven by one thing: showing up for the people you love.
•
Listen to the full episode, search: American Grown Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music & Pandora for FREE. 📲🎧

06/16/2025

Ep.134: Brandi Whitman - Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
•
In this powerful episode, I sit down with Brandi Whitman, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Move Forward Counseling, whose path to becoming a therapist was anything but typical. After tragically losing her father to a heart attack at 17—while taking an EMT class—Brandi faced heartbreak, academic setbacks, and career uncertainty...she eventually found her calling in therapy. Now EMDR-trained and specializing in PTSD, suicidality, and self-harm, Brandi shares how her personal experiences shaped her passion for helping others heal.
•
Listen to the full episode, search: American Grown Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music & Pandora for FREE. 📲🎧

06/09/2025

Ep.133: David Millar - Medical Student who found sobriety & overcame addiction.
•
In this episode I talk with David Millar, a first-year medical student at Penn State College of Medicine with a powerful story of transformation. After struggling with addiction during his teenage years and facing academic setbacks, David found sobriety—and with it, a renewed sense of purpose. Now nearly six years sober, he’s on the path to becoming a neurosurgeon in Hershey, Pennsylvania. This episode is a testament to grit, growth, and the power of choosing a new direction.
•
Listen to the full episode, search: American Grown Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music & Pandora for FREE. 📲🎧

06/02/2025

Ep.130-132: Shaina McDonald & Bruce Lindsey - President & Honorary Board Member of Interseeding Foundation. ALL 3 PARTS ARE OUT NOW.
•
In this episode, Shaina & retired Marine Bruce share their mission to support veterans, active military & first responders. They have a vision of creating a safe, judgment-free space where people can gather around a campfire, share stories & work through challenges without fear of stigma or state intervention. Together, they discuss the importance of community, trust & a solution to mental health.
•
Listen to the full episode, search: American Grown Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music & Pandora for FREE. 📲🎧

03/02/2025

Ep.120: Gordon Price & Richard Stutzman - Founders of NICK Services.
•
In this episode, Gordon and Richard share their remarkable ability to identify a pressing need in Lebanon County for a non-profit organization that directly impacts children on an individual level. Inspired by this need, they founded NICK Services, an organization dedicated to providing underprivileged youth in Lebanon with the opportunity to engage in various after-school programs, such as art, music, and karate, under the guidance and assistance of experienced mentors.
•
Listen to the full episode, search: American Grown Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music & Pandora for FREE. 📲🎧

02/24/2025

Ep.119: Brian DiMattia - MMA
Instructor & Host of Food Fight Podcast.
•
In this episode Brian shares with us his redemption story from drug addict to going clean. When not recording his Food Fight Podcast he works at Good Tree MMA inspiring others to stand up for themselves.
•
Listen to the full episode, search: American Grown Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music & Pandora for FREE. 📲🎧

02/11/2025

02/03/2025

Ep.116: Tyler Weaver - Master Gunsmith & Owner of Precision Rifle Works.
•
In this episode Tyler shares with us his journey to becoming a master gunsmith. From his early days of machine tooling, to graduating gunsmithing school in Pittsburgh. He worked diligently to learn all he could. During COVID while most businesses were struggling to stay open he decided to go full-time as a gunsmith out of his house. You can tell by the passion in his voice that Tyler is dedicated and extremely knowledgeable about his craft.
•
Listen to the full episode, search: American Grown Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music & Pandora for FREE. 📲🎧